The Hamilton Association for the Advancement of Literature, Science and Art presents the first of its free public lectures in the 2014-2015 series: Bringing William Blair Bruce into the Light, by Tobi Bruce, senior curator at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, who spent three years immersed in the life of the Hamilton-born artist William Blair Bruce. His legacy of paintings helped bring the AGH into being exactly 100 years ago. The resulting exhibition, Into the Light: The Paintings of William Blair Bruce (1859-1906), on view until Oct. 5, is the culmination of her research and travels to pull together many stands from the artist’s family, life, art, and influences–from Hamilton to France and Sweden. She presents a personal narrative of the exhibit and life of this talented and versatile artist in an illustrated presentation. For more information: www.haalsa.org

Posted inEvents|Comments Off on Bringing William Blair Bruce into the Light – Tobi Bruce

Sgt. Ciarmoli of the Hamilton Police Service has sent out the following Summer Safety Bulletin:

========

It’s shaping up to be a wonderful summer for those who live, work and play in the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Police Service would like to help make it a safe and enjoyable one by engaging everyone to do their part. Let’s not make it easy for crime to take place in our communities. Below are some tips and reminders to help all of us.

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

Make neighbours aware that you’ll be away.

Ask friends or family to collect your mail/flyers while you’re away.

Consider NOT publicizing your absence using social networking sites before/during your time away.

Ensure all windows and doors are locked on ground floors especially at night. Leaving ground floor windows open or insecure makes for an easy access point to would-be thieves to reach inside and steal valuables like purses, wallets or keys.

Before spending time gardening or relaxing in your backyard take a minute to secure doors and windows that will be out of your view. Not doing so creates an opportunity for someone to enter your home and steal valuables left inside.

Make sure all doors and locks are working on all outdoor sheds/garages.

Keep all hedges trimmed to prevent easy cover for thieves to go unseen by your neighbours or witnesses.

Consider installing motion activated lighting around your home/garage and set timers using indoor lighting systems to deter trespassers and thieves from being on your property.

Set your alarm and security systems when away from your home. Even for “just a minute”.

TO STUDENTS

Don’t leave valuables in common areas of your residence where unknown guests may have access to your property.

Secure all doors and windows to the residence making sure that all residents have a key. Doing so ensures that unwanted guests or trespassers don’t have easy access to your valuables inside.

Keep all electronics, laptop computers, tablets, smartphones and other valuables secure and away from easily accessible doors and windows.

Take time to record serial number information of valuables and consider activating location services on electronics which could assist in locating lost or stolen property.

If you observe any suspicious activity or people at any time of day or night or observe a crime in progress please contact Police to report this information using the appropriate contact information below.
PHONE

Hamilton’s public bike share system is launching this July with 750 bicycles and over 100 stations! Please sign up for the SoBi Hamilton email list in order to receive occasional updates, including announcements, deals, promotions, and system updates. Eager to ride? Founding Memberships are available now, with great perks to show our thanks. Regular memberships will be available to the general public on May 26th.

Sonic Unyon is happy to announce the lineup and details for the second annual Hamilton Blues and Roots Festival, located in Westdale Village.

The free, family-friendly festival will take place on Saturday, June 7, from 12:00 noon to 11:00 p.m.

Headlining Saturday night is the self-professed purveyors of Swamp Roots Rock, Ottawa’s Monkey Junk. William Shatner calls them The Sultans of Swamp R&B–high praise from the captain of a starship. Monkey Junk also won the 2012 Juno Award for Best Blues album.

Also headlining is Hamilton’s Jesse O’Brien, who will bring some experienced hometown blues chops to the festival. Joining Jesse will be special guests Steve Strongman and Chuck Jackson (Downchild).

You may know us from our indie record label (celebrating over 20 years of releasing great music), Supercrawl, Because Beer, Seven Sundays in Gage Park, Hamilton Blues and Roots Festival, our new downtown event space Mills Hardware, or our commitment to bringing Downtown Hamilton back to life. If you don’t know us from any of those, then hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you.

On June 3rd at 7 p.m., Westdale library will be hosting a programme entitled “The Man Who Created Narnia: the Faith and Fiction of C.S.Lewis.”

“C.S.Lewis is known as one of the most popular writers of the twentieth century. One of his best-loved works is The Chronicles of Narnia, recently turned into three movies. But not everyone is aware of how Lewis’ own spiritual journey is reflected in the shaping of the Narnia stories. John Bowen has loved Narnia since he first read the stories in his 30’s. As a professor at Wycliffe College, an Anglican seminary in the University of Toronto, from 1997 till 2013, he has taught Master’s level courses on Lewis, and is the author of The Spirituality of Narnia: The Deeper Magic of C.S.Lewis (2007).”

Posted inEvents|Comments Off on The Man Who Created Narnia: the Faith and Fiction of C.S.Lewis

Hamiltonian David Goldberg was shot down over France in 1944 while on his 80th mission. After his daring escape he went on to fly 155 missions over Italy and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

David New will be reading from his book and engaging in lively conversation with his audience.

David S. New is a Hamilton writer with four previously published books.

Last year a peace garden/labyrinth was added to the Apothecary’s and Plant Lover’s Gardens that are already being cared for by the Teaching Gardens volunteers. Thanks to the time and energy of many generous volunteers, we were able to complete the ‘bones’ of the labyrinth. This year, we would like to further beautify this special place by adding decorative stones, plantings, and a hand-carved cedar peace pole and are turning to our community for financial support for the first time. If you are willing or able to make a contribution, please go to this link: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/fkr44?psid=87d4fbb3aaac496599882ee1d09d8512&fb_ref=share__c3Iye8 Thank you! If you have any questions, or would like to help out with the gardens, please contact Mary Louise Pigott at friendsofchurchillpark@gmail.com